bomb420 1 #1 May 1, 2009 I was looking at being a distributor of the .3x 37mm century lens (BH link to DS-FEWA-37) but found I could get them cheaper at BH then I could directly from Century in large quantities. Seems they raised their prices in 2008 and BH still has the old stock. They are now listing for $410 and BH has them for $279. If you are thinking about getting this lens, it may not be a bad idea to stop procrastinating. Once their price goes up, I may then become a dealer HYPOXIC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velocityphoto 0 #3 May 2, 2009 Just ordered one from adorama last night, dammit! $309.00 shipped Oh well i should have checked b&h 1st. A friend will bail you out of jail , a REAL friend will be sitting next to you in the cell slapping your hand saying "DUDE THAT WAS AWSUM " ................ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChangoLanzao 0 #4 May 2, 2009 I was tempted ... but now I'm thinking of doing THIS to my Raynox 3032. Anyone tried it? How would it compare to the baby death? Cost/Benefit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #5 May 2, 2009 -Huge diff in the glass quality between babydeath and the Raynox. -Haven't shot with a modded Raynox, but have seen footage from one. Abberation was terrible, but that won't bother most skydivers, I don't think. -it's half the cost to mod the Raynox, so if #2 point doesn't bother you... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChangoLanzao 0 #6 May 3, 2009 Quote -Huge diff in the glass quality between babydeath and the Raynox. -Haven't shot with a modded Raynox, but have seen footage from one. Abberation was terrible, but that won't bother most skydivers, I don't think. -it's half the cost to mod the Raynox, so if #2 point doesn't bother you... Hmmm .... thanks. Not sure what you mean by "huge". Sounds kind of subjective. I wonder if you could point me at some techie data. Terrible aberration would certainly bother me, but again I don't know what you would consider terrible Are you saying that the aberration was caused by the mod, or is it that the Raynox glass is terrible compared to the Century Optics glass? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #7 May 3, 2009 Quote Are you saying that the aberration was caused by the mod, or is it that the Raynox glass is terrible compared to the Century Optics glass? To a degree, both. Century is a higher quality glass than Raynox (as reflected in the resolution and price). The mod only serves to amplify those differences. At those widths, I doubt much anyone but a broadcaster or someone striving for balanced color will care at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyclown2000 0 #8 May 4, 2009 Well I can tell you those plastic adapter rings that come with the raynox just cost me my lens on opening. Not a hard opening, just a normal Velo opening. I was concerned about this happening and planned to support the lens more in in its box, but after 10 jumps it was too late. I think this may be a blessing in disguise however. I was fairly disappointed with the 3030 as it doesn't provide the same wide angle as the diamond .3 on my PC-9 prior. For inside freeflying it's simply not wide enough. Can anyone shed some light on the Century lens? I checked out DSE's lens comparison chart, but I'd like a user opinion before I cough up the cash for a new one. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,874 #9 May 4, 2009 > I was fairly disappointed with the 3030 as it doesn't provide the same > wide angle as the diamond .3 on my PC-9 prior. On my HC1 the 3030 is a very, very wide lens, much wide than the 5000 I normally use. On my CX100 it's barely wider than a .5 on the HC1. It's primarily the camera causing the 'narrowness' of the 3030. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #10 May 4, 2009 QuoteWell I can tell you those plastic adapter rings that come with the raynox just cost me my lens on opening. Not a hard opening, just a normal Velo opening. I was concerned about this happening and planned to support the lens more in in its box, but after 10 jumps it was too late. I think this may be a blessing in disguise however. I was fairly disappointed with the 3030 as it doesn't provide the same wide angle as the diamond .3 on my PC-9 prior. For inside freeflying it's simply not wide enough. Can anyone shed some light on the Century lens? I checked out DSE's lens comparison chart, but I'd like a user opinion before I cough up the cash for a new one. Thanks! This is the 7th story I've heard....some say the plastic is better (than metal) to shear than the front of the camera; I strongly disagree. Sorry to hear about it. That sucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyclown2000 0 #11 May 4, 2009 Thanks guys, lesson learned. A question for DSE, will the Century lens provide a wider shot than the 3030 on the cx100? I appreciate the lens chart you posted, but before I fork over 300 bucks I'd like to be sure I'm going to get the shot I want. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #12 May 4, 2009 Yes, it will provide a more wide angle. Caution; the Babydeath is a very open-faced lens (I'm sure you've already looked at it). The coatings are exposed, as is the glass. IMO, it's not a lens for everyday tandem use. But...you know what you're after, I assume. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velocityphoto 0 #13 May 4, 2009 I just got of the phone with adorama and they matched b&h price of 279.00 shipped to my door. Actually did a refund of the $30.00 difference. A friend will bail you out of jail , a REAL friend will be sitting next to you in the cell slapping your hand saying "DUDE THAT WAS AWSUM " ................ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shogo 0 #14 May 5, 2009 Would this new one be better than baby death? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/577501-REG/Century_Precision_Optics_0HD_FEWA_43_0HD_FEWA_43_Ultra_Fisheye_HD.html I mean resolution across the frame. I guess it came out with that 0.5HD? They put "HD" on the new ones, perhaps for a reason. I e-mailed them, but no reply. They don't disclose lines per mm like raynox does. So I was wondering. Another thing... I wonder, using that (bigger lens) with a step up ring 43mm-37mm, is it like putting a 15mm fisheye (for 35mm format) on a APS-C sensor? Would the filed of view be limited? With a step ring, we are using the center part of the lens right? I have had baby death for 4 seasons. I like it a lot but i am always looking for something better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,874 #15 May 5, 2009 >They put "HD" on the new ones, perhaps for a reason. I suspect because it sells lenses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anderslau 0 #16 May 5, 2009 Does anyone have cx100/105 HD footage with this particular lens? .3x 37mm century lens (DS-FEWA-37). I can't work out if the link you posted here is with the Century .3 or not... How does the physical dimension on this lens work out for you? 78mm on the cx100 is quite wide? Can you post a pic of the lens attached to the cx100? Thanks for the tip towards B&H!Anders http://www.theskydivingtube.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tim-O-T 0 #17 May 5, 2009 some pics of the CX100 + baby death still waiting on my tonfly CC1 and box, so sorry no footage yet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teigen 0 #18 May 5, 2009 Looks nice! will it clear the helmet if i mount the CX105 on a flatlock? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tim-O-T 0 #19 May 5, 2009 QuoteLooks nice! will it clear the helmet if i mount the CX105 on a flatlock? It should. There is only a small amount of overlap at the bottom - the camera almost sits flat on a desk. Probably won't work for a side-mount however. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blink 1 #20 May 5, 2009 Does the hood have threads to mount a filter? Just wondering if there's anyway to protect the glass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #21 May 5, 2009 no way to protect the glass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teigen 0 #22 May 5, 2009 Quoteno way to protect the glass. Seen some vids on youtube of skaters wrecking the Baby Death! that must suck bigtime! but hey, its probably better to let the lens take a hit then to have the camera shatter! Im not too keen on vignetting.. Will the baby death cause vignetting on the CX105 when you use a step down from 37mm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bomb420 1 #23 May 5, 2009 I'll lend my lens to Sara or one of the organizers on the 100way tryouts and post the footage. Should give a good idea of how well it works with that camera. Maybe I'll just take it out to cinco de mayo @dosgringos & @de.la.casa.thronco tonight for some ground test footage. -thronco rodriguez HYPOXIC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdatc 0 #24 May 6, 2009 Just picked up my lens recently.... price is 299 at B&H now. Have my 'baby death' on my Cx100 belly mount and using my raynox .3 on my cx7 helmet cam. Great lens, awesome, much wider then raynox with great quality. Raynox is great though as you can zoom it, and the 1st person is nice. Great to have several tools for the job. If you put in the work, this site teaches you a lot about the equipment necessary to shoot good base/skydiving video.... _justin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tim-O-T 0 #25 May 6, 2009 no vig with a step down from 37mm. I reckon you could still add an extra 2 spacer rings to make the FOV wider with no vig. The CX100 is quite narrow on most lenses it seems. And yes adding spacers will make a lens wider (although this might seem counter intuitive). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites